| Main Ref. | Randall, J.E. and J.H. Choat, 1980 |
| Appearance refers to | Male; Female |
| Bones in OsteoBase |
| Specialized organs | |
| Different appearance | |
| Different colors | different colors in juveniles and adults |
| Remarks |
| Striking features | |
| Body shape lateral | short and / or deep |
| Cross section | compressed |
| Dorsal head profile | clearly convex |
| Type of eyes | more or less normal |
| Type of mouth/snout | more or less normal |
| Position of mouth | terminal |
| Type of scales | |
| Diagnosis |
Males recognized by the yellow pectoral fins, horizontal green band from tip of snout to above pectoral fin base and large individuals with oval yellow patch on caudal peduncle. Females plain yellowish grey with pale lines along abdominal area (Ref. 48636). Scales large. Median predorsal scales 4; 3 scale rows on cheek, ventral row with 1-2 scales. Truncate caudal fin in initial phase (slightly rounded); slightly lunate in terminal phase. Dental plates nearly covered by lips. Terminal males with 1 or 2 upward-projecting canines posteriorly on lower dental plate and 1 on upper plate. Large initial phase individuals are tan while terminal phase individuals have a distinctive transparent yellowish-tan pectoral fin (Ref. 1602). |
| Ease of Identification |
| Lateral Lines | Interrupted: No |
| Scales on lateral line | |
| Pored lateral line scales | |
| Scales in lateral series | |
| Scale rows above lateral line | |
| Scale rows below lateral line | |
| Scales around caudal peduncle | |
| Barbels | 0 |
| Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) | |
| Gill rakers | |
| on lower limb | |
| on upper limb | |
| total | |
| Vertebrae | |
| preanal | |
| total |
| Attributes | extending over most of the back length |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Finlets No. | Dorsal |
| Ventral | |
| Spines total | 9 - 9 |
| Soft-rays total | 10 - 10 |
| Adipose fin | absent |
| Attributes | more or less truncate; more or less normal |
| Fins number | 1 |
| Spines total | 3 - 3 |
| Soft-rays total | 9 - 9 |
| Pectoral | Attributes more or less normal |
| Spines 0 | |
| Soft-rays 14 - 14 | |
| Pelvics | Attributes more or less normal |
| Position thoracic behind origin of D1 | |
| Spines | |
| Soft-rays |